8 Creative Uses For Your Mobile Device

Whether you have an iPhone, Blackberry or just a simple cell phone, you are probably not using your mobile gadget to its full potential. Instead of getting the latest and greatest gadget that everyone is getting, like the iPad, why not figure out new creative uses for your current tech toy? You'll save hundreds of dollars that can be put to better use, like a suit for your next interview!

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Here are 8 uses for your mobile device:

1. Counter - Have you ever had to count a large number of things, but got interrupted and lost count?  Well that will no longer be a problem if you have a calculator function in your phone or PDA device.  Just start the calculator, press 1 plus 1 and then keep hitting the "=" button (whatever button that may be on your device) for every additional count.  Instant bean counter!
2. Tip Calculator - One of my cell phones contain a tip calculator.  Even if your's does not, as long as the calculator function is there, it's easy to calculate a tip.  Just type in the amount and then multiply it by "1.xx" where xx is the percent tip you want to leave.
3. Watch - I hardly ever use my watch since I always have my Blackberry and phone with me.  How many of you actually have a watch that you use to tell time?  I bet most of you use your watch more as an accessory than a watch.
4. Alarm clock - Since most people have a cell phone, you no longer need another alarm clock.  Just download your favorite tune to wake up to and you have a customizable alarm clock.
5. Flash light - I use my blackberry for a night light / flash light.  Since it's usually near me, it's easier to find than a regular flashlight which sits in a drawer that never gets put to use.
6. Password generator and manager - My blackberry has an application that stores passwords and generates secure random passwords.  All I ever need is to memorize one password to get into the application and I'll never have to remember hundreds of passwords again!  Your iPhone or Droid probably have similar applications, use it!
7. Draft your next book - no worrying about fonts and typefaces, just type away and you'll soon have your next best seller!
8. Emergency Phone - old phones can be recycled. If you have an old phone with good battery life, but no longer under contract, you can still use it as an emergency phone. Calling 911 does not require service. I keep one around just in case.

I know some of these are not very creative, but I bet you never thought about using your phones / handhelds for some of the creative uses mentioned above.  You probably have creative uses of your own.  Please share your ideas in the comments!

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7 Habits to Boost Your Savings

The savings rate for US households has steadily gone up in the last couple of years.  One benefit to the Great Recession is that it makes people think about what is necessary and putting everything else in the nice to have category.  Ask any personal finance blogger, and you will get a list of ways to save and boost your savings rate.  Here is my take on some habits that can help you boost your savings, so you can get what you really want in the near future.

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Seven Habits Of Saving:

1. Use your neighborhood library for books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, video games and all sorts of entertainment.  I bet you didn't know half that list was offered by the NYC library system.
2. Eat home cooked meals.  Bring food from home.  Doing this can save you an average of $50 to $70 a week, assuming your lunch costs around $10 to $15 each.  Yes, you can find cheaper fare, such as the $1 pizza slice I tweeted about several months ago, but how much pizza can you really eat?  Home cooked / prepared is usually much healthier to boot!
3. Commute by mass transit.  Living in NYC has many benefits, one of which is having a very good public transportation system.  Yes we all gripe about it from time to time, but if you journey to other cities and compare their mass transit options, you'll know you are getting a good bargain using the trains and buses.  Compare the monthly cost of an unlimited metrocard to driving back and forth to work, you'll most likely save $100 or more a month since you don't pay for insurance, upkeep, gas, parking and other car related expenses.  That's at least $1200 a year you are saving on travel compared to a car owner.
4. New Yorkers love to shop.  If you are one to shop for clothing quite often, you should cut back or scale down.  Shop less, shop for only items you need, shop for basics that you can mix and match.  Buying the latest in fashion trends can cost you thousands every year.  If you can't help but buy name brands, I suggest you check out outlets, thrift shops and other such stores.  They often have goods at half the cost you would normally spend.
5. Love Music?  Who doesn't?  Music can get expensive though.  Thanks to technology, you can find your favorite music free!  You've probably used Pandora or other related sites for music.  Online radio, regular FM radio, your existing CD/MP3 collection, are some other ways to enjoy music for no cost at all.
6. Use coupons and sales whenever possible.  I've gotten items free, and sometimes I even get a little money back from buying things on sale, with a coupon.  It doesn't happen often, but every little bit helps in this economy, and especially those still on the lookout for a job.  So stop throwing out your Sunday circulars and save the coupons.   You can also print coupons from sites such as coupons.com or redplum.com.
7. Don't buy new gadgets, I tend to use my existing doodads to its full extent.  Those of you with the latest Blackberry or iPhone probably only use certain features.  Don't forget to use it as a temporary night light/flash light, alarm clock, notepad, calculator, etc..  Before you buy your next App, check out what's already there.

Do you have any suggestions for habits that can boost your savings rate?  I'd love to hear your ideas.

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5 Tax and Money Savings Tips

Tax time is almost here.  If you are getting a refund, you should have filed already!  If you are going to be paying taxes because you did not withhold enough, here are some tips to minimize that payment.  Even if you cannot use all these tips for this tax season, they will come in handy for next year's tax season.

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Give  Giving really can be rewarding.  Not only do you feel good about giving to the causes you believe in, you also get some money back from Uncle Sam.  If you've given to your church, charities or other non-profit organizations - all you need is the receipt and you can deduct the amount you gave.  If you need ideas, I can suggest the NYC Libraries, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Red Cross, your local church, museums and numerous other charities.

Deduct Job hunting expenses  If you are looking for a job, and these days it seems like half the people I know are, then you should not forget about deducting your expenses.  These can include printing resumes, transportation to and from interviews, cell phone bills, suits and other clothing for interviews.  The catch is, you need to be looking for a similar line of work.

Go Green.  Many people in the recent past have bought a Toyota Prius and get a deduction.  But going green doesn't stop there.  If you put a good amount of money into your home to improve energy efficiency such as heating or cooling systems, insulation, or alternative energy sources such as solar, you can get a nice tax credit on your return for that year.

Educate Yourself.  Continuing your education can be good for your future earnings and your wallet.  There are tax credits and deductions for you to take.  Interest from student loans are deductable from your return as well.  If you have a large enough loan, this can be pretty significant.

Tax Preparation.  Books, classes, software and tax preparation services are deductible on your tax return as a miscellaneous itemized deduction.  It's easy to find this tip using software such as Taxcut or TurboTax.

What tax savings tips do you have to share?  What deductions and savings are you taking this year?

For additional links to frugal tips and tricks follow me on Twitter. If you would like to contribute to FrugalNYC in any way feel free to contact me via email. Click here to add FrugalNYC to your RSS reader or Subscribe to FrugalNYC by Email.

photo by alancleaver_2000